Vote Barr

[CaptainHenreh]

In fact I think a lot of kids could stand to learn some religious based morals growing up, but at the same time preaching nothing but the Bible as fact does kids a disservice. The religious message needs to be partnered with a generally accepted curicullum that includes math, history and the sciences otherwise your kids will lack the essential knowledge they need to contribute to society.

I would agree with you on that one, and I was homeschooled. But, uh, what's your point?

Parent Qualifications: File annual Notice of Intent (using a form or letter) and meet one of the following:

* Have a college degree and submit a description of a program of study;
* Use a curriculum from the list of programs pre-approved by the state;
* Describe a curriculum or program of study that includes the state's Standards of Learning for mathematics and language arts and show evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child;
* File a religious exemption (once obtained, no further notice required);
* Be a state certified teacher and homeschool under the Tutor statute.

I know that's alot for you public schoolers to read, but basically it says that you have to have 4 years of education over the grade you which to teach, unless you have a religious exemption to this requirement OR you want to teach a state-approved curriculum. In Virginia, approximately 30% of families choose the religious exemption.

Don't miss that part. That means by far that families who homeschool do NOT do so with the religious exemption, and must therefore meet one of the other State requirements for the student's curriculum. But, that's just to meet the requirements TO TEACH AT HOME. After you meet those requirements, you have:

Testing: Choose one of the following:

* Submit results of standardized achievement test by August 1. Parent may choose test, administrator, location and date, subject to approval of local superintendant. (Stanford 9 is the only test they *must* accept.) Child must score above the 4th stanine (23rd percentile).
* Portfolio review by local superintendent's office or reviewer (superintendent has some say in who may qualify to review). Usually, reviewers look for evidence of having met the Standards of Learning set by the state.
* Independent assessment by certified teacher, who sends a letter stating that s/he believes the child has achieved an adequate level of educational growth and progress.

So, even after you meet the (admittedly, not super stringent) requirements for teaching your child at home, your child must still pass standardized test which include (gasp!) science, mathematics, etc.

Now, regarding socialization. If you rely on the public school system to socialize your child, I'm going to suggest that maybe you should re-evaluate your stance. I mean, I guess if you want your child to be a little thug hoodrat, then be my guest, send 'em to public school. Now, you might find a higher degree of socially dysfunctional individuals being homeschooled, but let's all say it together children: Correlation != Causation. Schools are simply not equipped to deal with anything other than the status quo, and many children with mild autism or asbergers or something like that simply don't do well in school, and alot of parents notice this and take them out. And, yes, there are some whackjob parents out there who overshelter their children and turn them into social retards. But that's not the fault of homeschooling. I was plenty "socialized" having never gone to high school, and I did just fine in college at 16 years old.

Homeschooling is not for everyone. It is not a silver bullet for education. But the Department of Education hasn't done any students any favors, and I'm all for tossing it in the waste bin, right behind the Fed.